Data recorder system and unit for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a data recording unit and a data recording system for use in connection with a vehicle, such as a train, a locomotive, a railcar of a train, and the like.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/227,567filed Dec. 20, 2018, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.15/241,662 filed Aug. 19, 2016, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,198,882on Feb. 5, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/282,363 filed May 20, 2014, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,460,566 onOct. 4, 2016, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described herein relate generally to vehicle systems andnetworks, such as railway systems including trains travelling in a trackor rail network, and in particular to data storage and managementsystems and methods for use in connection with one or more data sourcesor inputs, such as event recording systems and associated devices, usedon or in connection with one or more locomotives or railcars of a train.

Vehicle systems and networks exist throughout the world, and, at anypoint in time, a multitude of vehicles, such as cars, trucks, buses,trains, and the like, are travelling throughout the system and network.Many of these vehicles are equipped with various target devices thatmeasure, determine, and/or track certain conditions, parameters,operational states, physical data or information, and the like. Forexample, a train may include an event recorder and/or other componentsor devices that measure, determine, and/or track certain conditions orstates of the equipment of the train, such as pressure, temperature,speed, operational states, and the like, and/or conditions or states ofthe areas or environment in or around the train. These devices arenormally attached to or associated with one or more of the locomotivesof a train. Further, in another example, such event recorders and/orother components or devices are attached to or associated with a truck,a bus, or other vehicle where the conditions and states of certainpieces of equipment are or should be tracked.

With respect to railway systems, and as is known, train event recordersand recording systems receive and store train event data from a trainmanagement system and/or other components and systems of a locomotive,railcar, track network, wayside equipment, end-of-train unit,head-of-train device unit, and the like, where this information and datarelate to the operating conditions of states of the train, of the areain the train, of the area or environment around the train, and the like.Train event recording systems are designed to be crash-worthy andinclude crash-resistant housings to preserve the recorded train eventdata in the event of a crash, derailment, or other type of accident.

Train event recorders and recording systems may provide download ortransfer options to facilitate the transfer of train event data to oneor more external storage devices. In addition, the Federal RailroadAdministration (FRA), such as at 49 C.F.R. § 229, requires train eventrecording systems to comply with basic specifications, such as thecrash-worthiness of the memory, although the capabilities of thesesystems can be enhanced beyond these requirements. To be in compliance,all leading locomotives of trains in the United States that travelfaster than 30 miles per hour on a United States rail network must havecrash-worthy event recording systems that record certain safety-criticalevents needed for investigating an accident.

Train event recording systems may monitor a variety of analog anddigital outputs from the train management computer, directly fromcertain target devices that output data and information, and/or fromother equipment and sources. Various existing train event recordingsystems and train management systems are shown and described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 7,965,312; 7,593,963; 8,420,930; 5,185,700; 7,703,291; and6,795,759; U.S. Publication Nos.: 2003/0222981; 2011/0216200;2006/0244830; 2003/0081121; and 2003/0081127; and Publication Nos.: WO2007064671; WO 2008144163; and WO 2008005620.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Generally, provided are data recorder systems and units for a vehiclethat overcome some or all of the drawbacks and deficiencies associatedwith known data recorder systems and units. The data recorder systemsand units for a vehicle may be used in connection with railway systemand the trains travelling therein. Optionally, the data recorder systemsand units for a vehicle may comply with the requirements of the FederalRailroad Administration. Optionally, the data recorder systems and unitsfor a vehicle may provide storage solutions and arrangements thatadequately store and protect the desired data, especially in the eventof an accident. Optionally, the data recorder systems and units for avehicle that provide data transfer, synchronization, and storage methodsthat facilitate appropriate storage, retrieval, and usage of data storedtherein.

According to one or more embodiments, provided is a data recorder unitfor a vehicle, including: at least one data recorder enclosureconfigured to house at least one internal component; at least one dataprocessing unit located in the enclosure and configured to directly orindirectly receive data input from at least one data source associatedwith the vehicle; and at least one storage device in direct or indirectcommunication with the at least one data processing unit and configuredto store data received from the at least one data processing unit;wherein the at least one storage device is at least one local storagedevice located within a crash- and/or fire-proof enclosure, which ispositioned within the data recorder enclosure. Further, the at least onelocal storage device is in the form of a network-attached storagedevice.

In another embodiment of the subject matter described herein, providedis a data recorder unit for a vehicle, including: at least one datarecorder enclosure configured to house at least one internal component;at least one data storage device comprising crash-hardened memory, theat least one data storage device located in the enclosure; and at leastone data processing unit located in the enclosure and configured todirectly or indirectly receive data from a plurality of data inputs andsynchronize data from the plurality of data inputs based at leastpartially on at least one of the following: time data from at least oneinternal time source, time data from at least one data input of theplurality of data inputs, or any combination thereof.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, provided is a data recorderunit for a vehicle, including: at least one video camera deviceconfigured to: generate video data associated with the vehicle and/orits surroundings; and wirelessly transmit at least a portion of thevideo data; and a data recorder unit, comprising: (a) at least one datarecorder enclosure configured to house at least one internal component;(b) at least one data processing unit located in the enclosure andconfigured to: (i) receive at least a portion of the video data from theat least one video camera device; (ii) process at least a portion of thevideo data; and (iii) generate processed video data based at leastpartially on the video data; and (c) at least one storage devicecomprising crash-hardened memory in direct or indirect communicationwith the at least one data processing unit and configured to store atleast a portion of at least one of the video data and the processedvideo data.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, provided is a data recordersystem for a vehicle, including: at least one data recorder enclosureconfigured to house at least one internal component; at least one dataprocessing unit located in the enclosure and configured to directly orindirectly receive data input from at least one data source associatedwith the vehicle; and at least one storage device in direct or indirectcommunication with the at least one data processing unit and configuredto store data received from the at least one data processing unit;wherein the at least one storage device comprises at least one firststorage device comprising at least one non-crash-hardened memory and atleast one second storage device comprising at least one crash-hardenedmemory.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, provided is a data recorderunit for a vehicle, including: at least one data recorder enclosureconfigured to house at least one internal component; at least one dataprocessing unit located in the enclosure and configured to directly orindirectly receive data input from at least one data source associatedwith the vehicle; and at least one storage device in direct or indirectcommunication with the at least one data processing unit and configuredto store data received from the at least one data processing unit;wherein the at least one storage device comprises at least onecrash-hardened memory and/or at least one fire-resistant memory, whereinthe power dissipation of the at least one storage device is throttledbased at least partially upon a sensed temperature.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, provided is a data recorderunit for a vehicle, including: at least one data recorder enclosureconfigured to house at least one internal component; at least one dataprocessing unit located in the enclosure and configured to directly orindirectly receive data input from at least one data source associatedwith the vehicle; at least one storage device in direct or indirectcommunication with the at least one data processing unit and configuredto store data received from the at least one data processing unit; andat least one energy storage device configured to store electrical energyand provide the stored electrical energy to at least one component ofthe data recorder unit when a main power supply to the at least onestorage device is lost, removed, or unavailable. Further, the at leastone energy storage device is in electrical communication with the atleast one data processing unit, and the at least one data processingunit is configured to store, on the at least one storage device andusing the stored electrical energy, data input from the at least onedata source after the main power supply is lost, removed, orunavailable.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, provided is a data recorderunit for a vehicle, including: at least one data recorder enclosureconfigured to house at least one internal component; at least one dataprocessing unit located in the enclosure and configured to directly orindirectly receive data input from at least one data source associatedwith the vehicle; at least one storage device in direct or indirectcommunication with the at least one data processing unit and configuredto store data received from the at least one data processing unit; andat least one energy storage device configured to store electrical energyand provide the stored electrical energy to at least one component ofthe data recorder unit when a main power supply to the at least onestorage device is lost, removed, or unavailable. Further, the at leastone data source comprises at least one video camera in electricalcommunication with at least one second energy storage device, and the atleast one video camera is configured to transmit video data to the datarecorder unit when a power supply to the at least one video camera islost or removed using stored energy from the at least one second energystorage device.

These and other features and characteristics of the subject matterdescribed herein, as well as the methods of operation and functions ofthe related elements of structures and the combination of parts andeconomies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon considerationof the following description and the appended claims with reference tothe accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of thisspecification, wherein like reference numerals designate correspondingparts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however,that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and descriptiononly and are not intended as a definition of the limits of theinvention. As used in the specification and the claims, the singularform of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of the inventive subject matter brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understandingthat these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the inventivesubject matter and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting ofits scope, the embodiments of the inventive subject matter will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a data recorder unit andsystem according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a data recorder unitand system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a further embodiment of a data recorderunit and system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a still further embodiment of a datarecorder unit and system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a data recorder unitand system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a data recorder unitand system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a further embodiment of a data recorderunit and system according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a still further embodiment of a datarecorder unit and system according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”,“right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”,“longitudinal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention asit is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter described herein may assume various alternativevariations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification, are simply exemplary embodiments. Hence,specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

As used herein, the terms “communication” and “communicate” refer to thereceipt, transmission, or transfer of one or more signals, e.g.,electrical signals, electricity, current, energy, and the like,messages, commands, and/or type of signal or data. For one unit ordevice to be in communication with another unit or device means that theone unit or device is able to receive signals or data from and/ortransmit signals or data to the other unit or device. A communicationmay use a direct or indirect connection, and may be wired and/orwireless in nature. Additionally, two units or devices may be incommunication with each other even though the signals or datatransmitted maybe modified, processed, routed, etc., between the firstand second unit or device. For example, a first unit may be incommunication with a second unit even though the first unit passivelyreceives signals or data, and does not actively transmit signals or datato the second unit. As another example, a first unit may be incommunication with a second unit if an intermediary unit processessignals or data from one unit and transmits processed signals or data tothe second unit. It will be appreciated that numerous other arrangementsare possible. Any known electronic communication protocols and/oralgorithms may be used such as, for example, TCP/IP (including HTTP andother protocols), WLAN (including 802.11 and other radio frequency-basedprotocols and methods), analog transmissions, and/or the like. Further,and as used hereinafter, the term “electrical communication”specifically refers to the transmission of electrical signals (e.g.,electricity, current, energy, and the like) between two or more units ordevices.

The terms “data recorder unit” and “data recorder system”, as usedinterchangeably herein, may refer to any data recording unit for avehicle, and in one or more non-limiting embodiments, refer to a trainevent recorder and/or train event recording system, which may refer toany event recording device or system used on a locomotive, railcar, ortrain that records train event data. The data recorder unit and datarecorder system may include one or more hardware and/or softwarecomponents in communication with one or more components and/or systems,i.e., data sources, of a vehicle, including a train or railway, such as,but not limited to, a train management computer, a head-of-train unit,an end-of-train unit, wayside equipment, operator interfaces and/orother like systems and components. In this context, the data recorderunit and/or data recorder system according to at least one embodimentcan be used to receive, process, record and/or store data representinginformation about locomotives, railcars, wayside equipment, tracksignals, and/or train operators including, but not limited to, velocity,brake pressure, error signals, system states, prompts and user inputs,mandatory directives, movement authority signals, warnings andenforcement information, direction of travel, distance traveled,throttle position, brake operation, headlight status, horn operation,cab signals, audio data, video data, and/or the like, as well as dataand information directed to the internal and/or external surroundings orenvironment in or around the train, the railcars, the locomotive, andthe like. In addition to train event recorders installed in a locomotiveand in communication with a train management computer, event recordersmay also include railcar event recorders such as that described by U.S.Pat. No. 7,769,509 to Gaughan et al., the entirety of which isincorporated by reference herein.

In one or more embodiments, a data recorder system 1 and data recorderunit 10 may be used in connection with data recording systems forvehicles. As discussed above, and in one or more non-limitingembodiments, the data recorder system 1 and data recorder unit 10according to the subject matter described herein are used on or inconnection with a locomotive and/or train. As such, the data recordersystem 1 and data recorder unit 10 may be integrated with or used inconnection with new or existing train event recorders and train eventrecording systems. Various embodiments of the data recorder system 1 anddata recorder unit 10 according to the present subject matter areillustrated in schematic form in FIGS. 1-8.

With specific reference to FIG. 1, provided is a data recorder unit 10for a vehicle (now shown), such as a locomotive or train. The datarecorder unit 10 includes at least one data recorder enclosure 12 thatis configured to house certain internal components, as discussedhereinafter. This data recorder enclosure 12 is sized, shaped, orconfigured to be attached to and/or integrated with various portions ofthe vehicle, such as in the locomotive of a train. Typically, the datarecorder unit 10 is attached to or integrated with the locomotive insuch a way that it would survive any accident or incident involving thetrain, and recovered at the scene in order to extract the data and gaina better understanding of the conditions or states of the train, itsvarious components, and/or the vehicle internal or external surroundingsor environment.

At least one data processing unit 14 is located in the recorderenclosure 12 and programmed or configured to directly or indirectlyreceive data input from at least one, and typically multiple, datasources DS, which are associated with the vehicle or its surroundings.In addition, at least one storage device 16 is in direct or indirectcommunication with the data processing unit 14 and configured to storedata received from the data processing unit 14. The storage device 16 isin the form of a crash-hardened solid-state storage device that islocated within a crash- and/or fire-proof enclosure 18. It will beappreciated that the solid-state storage device may also benon-crash-hardened. In particular, this crash- and/or fire-proofenclosure 18 is positioned within the data recorder enclosure 12. Inthis manner, the storage device 16 is further protected, i.e., beyondthe protection from the data recorder enclosure 12, in the event of acrash, fire, accident, or other incident involving the vehicle. Thisprovides a further level of protection to the data that is received bythe data processing unit 14 and stored on the storage device 16; again,for use in data analysis before, during, or after the event. Forexample, data extraction from the storage device 16 may occur at anytime, but typically occurs either on a periodic basis or after someincident has occurred.

In one or more embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, the datarecorder unit 10 includes a local storage device 20, which is in director indirect communication with at least one network storage device 22.In operation, some or all of the data input that is provided by the dataprocessing unit 14 to the local storage device 20 is wirelesslytransferred to the network storage device 22 on a dynamic basis,periodic basis, pre-determined basis, substantially continual basis, orany combination thereof. In this manner, if there is a catastrophicvehicle incident, where the data recorder unit 10 is unrecoverable orcompletely destroyed, the data is still available through the networkstorage device 22. Optionally, the network storage device 22 is a remotestorage device, and may also be in the form of a virtual memory of orstorage device accessible through wireless or network communication.

In one or more embodiments, the local storage device 20 includes anetwork-attached storage device. In this example, the local storagedevice 20 may have a logical partition dedicated and/or configured toact as local storage, and a logical partition dedicated and/orconfigured to act as network storage. The network storage partition maybe made available to other devices in communication with a network. Inthis embodiment, it is envisioned that only specific data inputs and/oroutputs could be saved to or used by the logical partition dedicatedand/or configured as network-attached storage.

In one or more embodiments, the local storage device 20 is in the formof a crash-hardened memory, which complies with specified FRA rules andregulations. However, it will be appreciated that non-crash-hardenedmemory may also be used and that, in some non-limiting embodiments, bothcrash-hardened and non-crash-hardened memory may be used. In one or moreembodiments, the local storage device 20 is located within a crash-and/or fire-proof enclosure 18, which is positioned within the datarecorder enclosure 12. In another embodiment, the data source DS is inthe form of a video camera VC or similar visual capture device, and thedata processing unit 14 is configured or programmed to transmit or causea transmission of video data to the network storage device 22.

With reference to FIG. 3, and in accordance with one or moreembodiments, the data recorder unit 10 includes at least one internaltime source 24. In this embodiment, the data processing unit 14 isprogrammed or configured to synchronize data from the variety of datainputs based at least partially on this internal time source 24. Usingthe internal time source 24 to synchronize data across some or all ofthe data streams provides accurate playback and analysis of the incomingdata. These data inputs may be in the form of a variety of interfaces orports 26. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, these data inputs mayinclude an Ethernet input, a serial input, a parallel input, a wirelessinterface, an Ethernet interface, a serial interface, a parallelinterface, an Ethernet port, a serial port, and/or a parallel port. Inaddition, it should be noted that these data inputs (as well as the datasources DS discussed above) may provide data to the data processing unit14 in a hardwired or wireless and/or direct or indirect form.Accordingly, the data processing unit 14 includes the necessary programs(and the data recorder unit 10 includes the necessary internalcomponents) to receive hardwired and/or wireless data input. Optionally,the internal time source 24 will be in the form of a separate timereference that may be synchronized to some external locomotive orvehicle source.

In one or more embodiments, the data is synchronized across multipledata inputs using at least a portion of the time data (e.g., a timestampor other time-informative data) from at least one data input or datasources DS. For example, the time data from one specified data input maybe used in synchronizing data from another data input (or multiple otherdata inputs) to ensure complete and accurate synchronization acrossmultiple data inputs. Further, the time data from any of the data inputsor data sources DS, and/or the above-discussed internal time source 24,may be stored or recorded at or on the data recorder unit 12. The use ofthe time data to synchronize across multiple data inputs or data sourcesDS facilitates the ability to specify how data is retrieved,synchronized, or otherwise used.

In one or more embodiments, and with continued reference to FIG. 3, theindependent time source 24 may be used to synchronize data received thathas independent, external time data. For example, a data source mayprovide video data that is associated with time data from an independenttime source (e.g., a time source internal to a video camera or otherdevice). To synchronize all or a portion of the data received by thedata recorder unit 10, the data processing unit 14 is programmed orconfigured to compare time data associated with one or more data sourcesto determine if the various times are synchronized. For example, thedata processing unit 14 may determine that clocks or other time sourcesof one or more data sources are not in synchronization with each otheror with the internal time source 24 of the data recorder unit 10. In afurther non-limiting embodiment, two or more data sources may berecorded to separate partitions of the storage device 16. In thisexample, the recorded data in the separate partitions may besynchronized by using the internal time source 24. Further, thissynchronization information and data may be transmitted or distributedto other control systems or data repositories, such as an on-boardcomputer of a train, a back office server of a railroad, or some otherremote system.

In one or more embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 4, the datarecorder system 1 includes one or more video camera devices 28 (i.e., avideo or visual data capture device), which are configured to generatevideo data associated with the vehicle and/or its internal or externalsurroundings or environment, and transmit at least a portion of thisvideo data wirelessly and/or through hardwired connections. This videodata may include raw data, formatted data, pre-processed data, and thelike. In this embodiment, the data processing unit 14 is programmed orconfigured to receive at least a portion of the video data from thevideo camera device 28, process at least a portion of this raw videodata, and generate processed video data based at least partially on thevideo data. Further, at least a portion of this video data and/orprocessed video data is stored on the storage device 16. Optionally, thestorage device 16 is in the form of a solid-state storage device, whichis located within a crash- and/or fire-proof enclosure 18, which is, inturn, positioned within the data recorder enclosure 12. Optionally, thedata processing unit 14 will include or be based upon a Linux recordingapplication for a standard network camera.

In one or more embodiments, and with continued reference to FIG. 4, atleast one video camera 28 may be an Internet protocol (IP) camera, andthe video data captured by the video camera 28 may be transmitted to thedata recorder unit 10 wirelessly over a network connection. The videocamera 28 and/or the data recorder unit 10 may include a wirelessinterface to transmit and/or receive data wirelessly. For example, awireless Ethernet interface on the data recorder unit 10 may receivevideo data from the video camera 28 over a network. Further, the datarecorder unit 10 may include an Ethernet interface with which the videocamera 28 (or other data source DS) is in wired communication. In somenon-limiting embodiments, this video data may be saved to a partition ofthe storage device 16 configured as network-attached storage. However,it will be appreciated that the connection may also be hardwired. Innon-limiting embodiments, the network connection is both wired andwireless. In such embodiments, the hardwired connection may be used totransmit video data in the event that a network connection is lost,removed, or unavailable. For example, a power outage may affect networkdevices such as routers and/or switches and a hardwired connection mayallow for continued transmission of video data despite such outages.

In one or more embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 5, the storagedevice 16 includes at least one first storage device 30 in the form ofat least one solid-state storage device, and at least one second storagedevice 32 that is in the form of at least one crash-hardened memory.Optionally, the solid-state storage device is a removable solid-statestorage device, and the data processing unit 14 is configured to storeall or a portion of a specified data set or certain information on thisremovable solid-state storage device, such as from a “bulk data” datasource DS. Further, in this embodiment, the second storage device 32 isconfigured to store all or a portion of specified critical data orinformation from a critical data source DS that is in communication withthe data processing unit 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, and in another non-limiting embodiment, thestorage device 16 includes the first storage device 30 and the secondstorage device 32. However, in this embodiment, the first storage device30 is in the form of at least one crash-hardened memory 34, and thesecond storage device 32 is in the form of at least onenon-crash-hardened memory 36. In this embodiment, the data processingunit 14 is configured to initially transfer or store data on the firststorage device 30, and at least a portion of this data is then cached onthe second storage device 32. This cached data may representauthenticated data, encrypted data, verified data, digitally-signeddata, specified data, critical data, and/or dynamic data. In addition,in this embodiment, the second storage device 32 is configured for wiredor wireless transmission of at least a portion of this cached data to atleast one download device 38. Further, in this embodiment, the firststorage device 30 and/or the second storage device 32 may be in the formof at least one solid-state storage device. By using this cachingstorage methodology, the cached data is more readily accessible and moreeasily (and quickly) downloadable to the download device 38.

Moreover, according to another non-limiting embodiment, an arrangementusing both crash-hardened memory 34 and non-crash-hardened memory 36allows for inexpensive non-crash-hardened memory 36 to be used forrecording non-critical data. Additionally, and as explained above, theuse of separate data storage devices 30, 32 may allow for the mostrecent data to be cached on the crash-hardened memory 34 whilenon-recent data is stored and continuously over-written on thenon-crash-hardened memory 36. In such embodiments, in the event of anaccident, the most recently recorded video data pertaining to theaccident will be preserved on the crash-hardened storage device 32. Themost current and/or recent video data may be determined by a storagecapacity of the second storage device 32 and/or a predetermined orspecified duration of time (e.g., minutes and/or seconds of video data).The existing data on the crash-hardened memory 36 may be overwritten inthe order in which it was recorded in a first in, first out manner,using the crash-hardened memory 36 as a data stack or data buffer.

In another non-limiting embodiment, the data recorder unit 10 or anotherdevice in communication with the data recorder unit 10 is programmed orconfigured to detect an event. Such an event may include, for example,an emergency brake application, an indication or signal from a PositiveTrain Control (PTC) system, a rapid deceleration, and/or a detection ofan impact or derailment based on accelerometer, gyroscope, and/or impactsensor data. In response to detecting an event, or receiving a signal orother indication that an event has occurred, the data processing unit 14may continue caching data received and prevent at least a portion of thedata stored on the storage device 16 from being overwritten. Forexample, and with reference to FIG. 6, in response to the occurrence ofan event, the data recorder unit 10 may prevent some or all of the datacached on a crash-hardened storage device 32 from being overwritten bynewly-received data, and may continue caching the newly-received datauntil a maximum capacity of the crash-hardened storage device 32 hasbeen reached or until a specified time.

With reference to FIG. 7, and in another non-limiting embodiment, thedata recorder unit 10 includes a storage device 16 that may becrash-hardened memory 34 and/or fire-resistant memory. In thisembodiment, the power dissipation of the storage device 16 can beadjusted or throttled based at least partially upon a sensed temperatureof the storage device 16 and/or data recorder unit 10. In particular,this sensed temperature may be generated by or derived from at least onetemperature sensor 40 located on or within (or adjacent to) the datarecorder unit 10. In particular, and in a non-limiting embodiment, thepower dissipation is throttled as temperature increases. In addition, inthis embodiment, the storage device 16 may be in the form of at leastone solid-state storage device.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, the power dissipation of the storagedevice 16 may be throttled in numerous ways to maintain or adjust thetemperature below a specified or predetermined threshold. For example,the power may be dissipated by discarding non-critical data, temporarilybuffering data without recording it to the storage device 16, storingnon-critical data on at least one other storage device, and/or adjustinga flow of data to reduce the amount of non-critical data recorded on thestorage device 16. Data that is temporarily buffered rather thanrecorded to the storage device 16 for which the power dissipation isbeing throttled or adjusted may be recorded to the storage device 16 ata later time when the temperature is lowered or otherwise reaches anacceptable level. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat the power dissipation of the storage device 16 may be throttled invarious other ways in response to the detection of a temperature thatequals or exceeds a specified or predetermined threshold or maximumtemperature.

FIG. 8 illustrates a data recorder unit in accordance with one or moreembodiments. In this embodiment, the data recorder unit 10 includes atleast one energy storage device 42. The energy storage device 42 mayinclude, for example, one or more super capacitors, one or morebatteries, or any other like device that can store energy. The energystorage device 42 may allow for the data recorder unit 10 to continueoperation after a main power supply has been lost, removed, or otherwisemade unavailable. For example, in the event of an accident that damagesor affects a main power supply, the various components of the datarecorder unit 10 may operate using power from the energy storage device42 to continue recording data. This back-up power supply may preventdata corruption by allowing a recordation process to complete. The dataprocessing unit 14 may be programmed or configured to facilitate agraceful shutdown of the data recorder unit 10 using energy stored onthe energy storage device 42. In a further non-limiting embodiment, thedata processing unit 14 may be programmed or configured to detect a lossof power from a main power supply and, in response to detecting the lossof power, initiate a reduced power mode in which only critical data isstored on the storage device 16. In this way, the energy stored on theenergy storage device 42 can be conserved to allow for continuedoperation of the data recorder unit 10.

With continued reference to FIG. 8, and in one or more embodiments, thedata processing unit 14 is programmed or configured to determine,generate, derive, or cause to be stored on the storage device 16 thedate and/or the time based on a date and/or time retained on volatilememory. The date and/or time may therefore be preserved if a main powersupply is lost, removed, or becomes otherwise unavailable by using theenergy storage device 42. The energy storage device 42 may also helppreserve the date and/or time between power cycles. The energy storagedevice 42 may be positioned within the data recorder unit 10 as shown inFIG. 8 or, in other non-limiting embodiments, may be positionedelsewhere and in electrical communication with any of the components,e.g., the data processing device 14, the storage device 16, etc., of thedata recorder unit 10.

In one or more embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 4, one or morevideo cameras 28 may also include an energy storage device such as butnot limited to a super capacitor or battery. The energy storage deviceassociated with the video camera 28 may be internal or external to thevideo camera 28 and may store an amount of energy sufficient to continuepowering the video camera 28 in the event that a main power supply islost, removed, or otherwise becomes unavailable. In this way, the datarecorder unit 10 may continue receiving and storing video data from thevideo camera 28 even after an accident has occurred and a main powersupply is unavailable. As explained above, the video camera 28 may alsotransmit the video data over a hardwired connection in response to aloss of power or a loss of a wireless network connection that may resultfrom an accident.

In one or more embodiments, the data recorder unit 10 is mechanicallycompatible with a five MCU LSI rack mount, and powered by standard 74VDC locomotive power, but also configured to accept nominal voltages of32 VDC and 110 VDC. In this embodiment, the data recorder unit 10includes military-style, high-reliability connectors and M12 IndustrialEthernet connectors. Various indicators are provided on the datarecorder unit 10 to indicate power, self-diagnostics, recording, and/orlink status. In this embodiment, the data recorder unit 10 includes acertified DOT Crashworthy memory, and is operable or configurablethrough a browser-based configuration and download program, which may bea local program on the data processing unit 14, or a remote program onsome other computer or device. In this embodiment, the data recorderunit 10 includes a serial port for Legacy Link connection to existingdata recorder units for retrofit applications.

In one or more embodiments, the crash-worthy memory module of the datarecorder unit 10 is capable of storing at least 96 GB of data and video,and includes a video data partition and an FRA/PTC data partition. Thevideo data partition is used for receiving data from two video camerasVC at 450 KB/s each for 24 hours, which would normally utilizeapproximately 78 GB of storage. The FRA/PTC data partition allows forthe storage of 48 hours of information, i.e., specified data andinformation.

In one or more embodiments, a three-memory storage device 16 is used andincludes a crash-hardened memory 34 for all of the FRA/PTC dataelements. In addition, a crash-hardened memory 34 is used to store videodata prior to an incident, and an 8 GB video partition will providecomplete protection of about 2.5 hours of the most recent video data. Inaddition, an industrial-rated memory of about 96 GB is used to storeextended video data in a solid-state memory that has enhancedtemperature and vibration robustness for reliable long-term recording inan industrial environment. In particular, in this embodiment, thecrash-hardened memory 34 would utilize a 16 GB memory module with theappropriate partitions for data storage.

In one or more embodiments, the data processing unit 14 uses the IntelAtom processor board running at 1.3 GHz with 1 GB of SDRAM. This dataprocessing unit 14 exhibits the appropriate processing power to handlestreaming video, and the processor support, in this embodiment, is basedon PCI-e expansion buses, which are used to provide the Ethernet andmemory port peripherals. A Linux operating system can be used to permitutilization of industry standard and known network software components.In this embodiment, three Ethernet ports are provided as support toon-board networks, as per S-9101B, and provide a third port forstreaming video.

In a still further and non-limiting embodiment, and with reference toFIG. 2, the local storage device 20 and/or network storage device 22 isin the form of a network-attached storage device that uses the NetworkFile System (NFS) protocol. The video application, whether on the videocamera VC or the data processing unit 14 will store or cause to bestored data in its own format, as needed. The transport layer(Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)) can be used for ensuring delivery,delivery sequence, and that the data has not been modified duringtransmission. The video application, again whether on a video camera VCor on the data processing unit 14, stores files to the mapped drive ofthe network-attached storage device.

In one or more embodiments, time synchronization for the data, such asthe video data, will be implemented using the Precision Time Protocol(PTP). The data processing unit 14 may act as the master device orcontrol, and the video application on the video camera VC will act asthe slave device or control. In this embodiment, a time reference, e.g.,such as through the use of an internal time source 24, will be providedto the video camera VC to allow for synchronization of data between thevideo camera VC (or video application) and other data applications, andin order to allow synchronization during playback.

In this manner, provided is a data recorder system 1 and data recorderunit 10 that provide improved storage and synchronization methods andarrangements for event recording devices. The data recorder system 1 anddata recorder unit 10 are useful in connection with railway systems andthe trains traveling therein, and preferably comply with therequirements of the Federal Railroad Administration. In addition, thedata recorder system 1 and data recorder unit 10 provide storagesolutions and arrangements that adequately store and protect the desireddata, especially in the event of an accident. In addition, the datarecorder system 1 and data recorder unit 10 provide for data transfer,synchronization, and storage methods that facilitate appropriateretrieval and usage of data stored therein.

It is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose andthat the subject matter is not limited to the disclosed embodiments,but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalentarrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims. For example, it is to be understood that the present embodimentscontemplate that, to the extent possible, one or more features of anyembodiment can be combined with one or more features of any otherembodiment.

As used herein, the terms “processor” and “computer,” and related terms,e.g., “processing device,” “computing device,” and “controller” may benot limited to just those integrated circuits referred to in the art asa computer, but refer to a microcontroller, a microcomputer, aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), field programmable gate array, andapplication specific integrated circuit, and other programmablecircuits. Suitable memory may include, for example, a computer-readablemedium. A computer-readable medium may be, for example, a random-accessmemory (RAM), a computer-readable non-volatile medium, such as a flashmemory. The term “non-transitory computer-readable media” represents atangible computer-based device implemented for short-term and long-termstorage of information, such as, computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules and sub-modules, or other data in anydevice. Therefore, the methods described herein may be encoded asexecutable instructions embodied in a tangible, non-transitory,computer-readable medium, including, without limitation, a storagedevice and/or a memory device. Such instructions, when executed by aprocessor, cause the processor to perform at least a portion of themethods described herein. As such, the term includes tangible,computer-readable media, including, without limitation, non-transitorycomputer storage devices, including without limitation, volatile andnon-volatile media, and removable and non-removable media such asfirmware, physical and virtual storage, CD-ROMS, DVDs, and other digitalsources, such as a network or the Internet.

The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise. “Optional” or “optionally” meansthat the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may notoccur, and that the description may include instances where the eventoccurs and instances where it does not. Approximating language, as usedherein throughout the specification and clauses, may be applied tomodify any quantitative representation that could permissibly varywithout resulting in a change in the basic function to which it may berelated. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as“about,” “substantially,” and “approximately,” may be not to be limitedto the precise value specified. In at least some instances, theapproximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrumentfor measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification andclauses, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged, suchranges may be identified and include all the sub-ranges containedtherein unless context or language indicates otherwise.

This written description uses examples to disclose the embodiments,including the best mode, and to enable a person of ordinary skill in theart to practice the embodiments, including making and using any devicesor systems and performing any incorporated methods. The claims definethe patentable scope of the disclosure, and include other examples thatoccur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples arewithin the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that donot differ from the literal language of the clauses, or if they includeequivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from theliteral language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data recorder unit comprising: a data recorderenclosure configured to house an internal component; a data processingunit located in the data recorder enclosure and configured to receivedata from a data source associated with a vehicle; and a storage devicein communication with the data processing unit and configured to storethe data received by the data processing unit, wherein the storagedevice comprises one or more of a crash-hardened memory or afire-resistant memory, wherein the storage device is configured tothrottle a power dissipation of the storage device based at leastpartially upon a sensed temperature.
 2. The data recorder unit of claim1, wherein the storage device is configured to throttle the powerdissipation of the storage device by at least one of: discarding anon-critical portion of the data, temporarily buffering the data withoutrecording the data to the storage device, storing the non-criticalportion of the data on another storage device, or adjusting a flow ofthe data.
 3. The data recorder unit of claim 1, wherein the storagedevice is configured to throttle the power dissipation of the storagedevice to maintain the sensed temperature within a specified temperaturerange or below a specified maximum temperature.
 4. The data recorderunit of claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises at least onesolid-state storage device.
 5. The data recorder unit of claim 1,wherein the sensed temperature is generated by or derived from outputfrom at least one temperature sensor.
 6. A data recorder unitcomprising: a data recorder enclosure configured to house an internalcomponent; a data processing unit located in the data recorder enclosureand configured to receive data input from a data source associated witha vehicle; a data storage device in communication with the dataprocessing unit and configured to store the data received by the dataprocessing unit; and an energy storage device configured to storeelectrical energy and provide the electrical energy responsive to a mainpower supply to the storage device being lost, removed, or unavailable,wherein the energy storage device is in electrical communication withthe data processing unit, and wherein the data processing unit isconfigured to store, on the data storage device and using the electricalenergy that is stored, the data input from the data source after themain power supply is lost, removed, or unavailable.
 7. The data recorderunit of claim 6, wherein the energy storage device comprises at leastone super capacitor.
 8. The data recorder unit of claim 6, wherein theenergy storage device is configured to provide the electrical energythat is stored to the data storage device to prevent corruption of thedata responsive to the main power supply being lost, removed, orunavailable.
 9. The data recorder unit of claim 6, wherein at least oneof the data storage device or the data processing unit is configured toretain, using the electrical energy that is stored by the energy storagedevice, at least one of a date or a time between power cycles or duringa power outage of the main power supply.
 10. The data recorder unit ofclaim 6, wherein the data processing unit is configured to detect a lossof power from the main power supply.
 11. The data recorder unit of claim10, wherein the data processing unit is configured to, in response todetecting the loss of power, initiate a reduced power mode in which onlya critical portion data is stored by the data storage device.
 12. Thedata recorder unit of claim 10, wherein the data processing unit isconfigured to, in response to detecting the loss of power, facilitate ashutdown using the electrical energy that is stored.
 13. A vehicle datarecorder unit comprising: a data recorder enclosure configured to housean internal component; a data processing unit located in the enclosureand configured to receive data input from a data source associated witha vehicle; a storage device in communication with the data processingunit and configured to store the data received by the data processingunit; and a first energy storage device configured to store electricalenergy and provide the electrical energy that is stored responsive to amain power supply being lost, removed, or unavailable, wherein the datasource comprises a video camera in electrical communication with asecond energy storage device, and wherein the video camera is configuredto communicate video data responsive to a power supply to the videocamera is lost or removed using electrical energy that is stored by thesecond energy storage device.
 14. The vehicle data recorder unit ofclaim 13, wherein the video camera comprises a wireless interface, andwherein the video camera communicates the video data via the wirelessinterface.
 15. The vehicle data recorder unit of claim 14, wherein thevideo camera further comprises a wired interface, and wherein the videocamera communicates at least a portion of the video data via the wiredinterface responsive to the wireless interface losing a wirelessconnection or responsive to a wireless network becoming unavailable. 16.A data recorder unit comprising: at least one data recorder enclosureconfigured to house at least one internal component; at least one dataprocessing unit located in the enclosure and configured to directly orindirectly receive data input from at least one data source associatedwith a vehicle; and at least one storage device in communication withthe at least one data processing unit and configured to store datareceived from the at least one data processing unit, wherein the atleast one storage device comprises at least one first storage devicecomprising at least one non-crash-hardened memory and at least onesecond storage device comprising at least one crash-hardened memory,wherein the at least one data processing unit is configured to store atleast a portion of the data on the at least one crash-hardened memory,and wherein the at least one crash-hardened memory is configured totransfer the portion of the data stored on the at least onecrash-hardened memory to the at least one non-crash-hardened memory. 17.The data recorder unit of claim 16, wherein the at least onenon-crash-hardened memory is configured for communication of at least aportion of the data transferred to the at least one non-crash-hardenedmemory to at least one download device.
 18. The data recorder unit ofclaim 16, wherein the at least one first storage device comprises atleast one solid-state storage device.
 19. The data recorder unit ofclaim 16, wherein the at least one non-crash-hardened memory isremovable.
 20. The data recorder unit of claim 16, wherein the at leastone data processing unit is configured to record over existing recordeddata on the at least one crash-hardened memory responsive to the atleast one crash-hardened memory reaching a capacity, a predeterminedamount of the data being recorded, or a predetermined duration of videodata being recorded, wherein existing recorded data on the at least onecrash-hardened memory is recorded over in an order in which the existingrecorded data was recorded.
 21. The data recorder unit of claim 20,wherein the at least one data processing unit is configured to detect anaccident and, in response to detecting the accident, stop recording overthe existing recorded data on the at least one crash-hardened memory.22. The data recorder unit of claim 21, wherein the at least one dataprocessing unit is configured to detect the accident based at leastpartially on one or more of: an emergency brake application, a rapiddeceleration, accelerometer data, impact sensor data, or an indicationfrom a positive train control (PTC) system.
 23. The data recorder unitof claim 16, wherein the at least one data source comprises at least onevideo camera, and wherein the at least one video camera comprises one ormore of: a wired video camera, a wireless Internet protocol (IP) videocamera, or a wireless interface.
 24. A data recorder unit for a vehicle,comprising: at least one data recorder enclosure configured to house atleast one internal component; at least one data storage devicecomprising at least one crash-hardened memory, the at least one datastorage device located in the at least one data recorder enclosure; andat least one data processing unit located in the at least one datarecorder enclosure and configured to receive data from a plurality ofdata inputs and synchronize data from the plurality of data inputs basedat least partially on at least one of: first time data from at least oneinternal time source or second time data from a first data input of theplurality of data inputs, wherein at least two of the data inputs arestored in separate logical partitions of the at least one crash-hardenedmemory.
 25. The data recorder unit of claim 24, wherein the plurality ofdata inputs comprises one or more of: an Ethernet input, a serial input,a parallel input, an Ethernet interface, a serial interface, a parallelinterface, a wireless interface, an Ethernet port, a serial port, or aparallel port.
 26. The data recorder unit of claim 24, wherein theplurality of data inputs comprises at least one video camera, whereinthe data received from the at least one video camera comprises videodata corresponding with independent time data, and wherein the videodata received from the at least one video camera is synchronized withthe at least one internal time source based at least partially on theindependent time data.
 27. The data recorder unit of claim 24, whereinthe plurality of data inputs comprises at least two video cameras,wherein the data received from each of the video cameras comprises videodata corresponding with independent time data, and wherein the videodata received from the at least two video cameras is synchronized basedat least partially on the independent time data.